Significance Of Kali Puja

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While we are all gearing up for Deepavali, there is another important puja which needs a mention. It is the Kali puja which is performed in the Eastern parts of India. Kali puja is an important puja in the states of West Bengal, Assam and the adjoining regions. It coincides with the popular festival, Diwali and is celebrated with equal enthusiasm and fervour.

Kali puja is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali. Interestingly, this ritual did not exist before 18th century. This annual puja was introduced in Bengal by King Krishnachandra of Navadvipa. Later, his legacy was taken forward by his grandson. It is after this Kali puja became synonymous with Bengal. Kali puja is generally performed in the temples or pandals. However some people also perform Kali puja at home.

Let us have a look at the rituals and the significance of Kali puja.

Rituals Of Kali Puja

Kali puja is usually performed at night. Various tantric mantras are chanted and rituals are also observed. Since Goddess Kali is the fiercest form of Shakti, the ingredients for Her worship are also different from rest of the Gods and Goddesses.

Goddess Kali is worshipped with red coloured hibiscus flower. She is offered animal blood in a skull, sweets, rice, lentils, fish and even meat. The worshipper is supposed to observe fast and conduct all the rituals in a proper manner from night until dawn. Those performing the puja at home do not have to follow very strict Tantric rituals and they can perform the rites according to the Brahmanical or non- Tantric tradition.

Significance Of Kali Puja

On a new moon night, when the whole world is busy worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, the significance of Kali puja cannot be any less. Despite Her fearful appearance, Goddess Kali is seen as the loving and caring Mother who destroys all the negative energies surrounding Her devotees. She is the manifestation of the Supreme power. The deity is beyond the concept of time. She eradicates all impurities, negativities and darkness within Her devotees. By worshipping Goddess Kali, the devotee obtains eternal blessings and makes the person free from all kinds of evil, residing inside as well as outside.

The significance of Kali puja has a beautiful concept. According to the concept, as all the colours merge into black so does the Universe merges into Kali. Hence, Kali puja is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by the worshippers of Shakti.